Kiyagi, Rwanda, Monday

[lockestheway]

This was it, Peter thought, as he stared down the long tunnel that ended in the stairs. No going back now. No handholding, either-- this ceremony, this announcement, would be held with his collection of world leaders at his side while people like N-- Envy and his parents waited in the wings until it was over

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[whenshewasnice]

And Envy was there. She'd watched, with great attention to detail, making mental notes of some things for a rather vague future reason. She was thinking a few steps ahead, these days.

Her red lips quirked into a little smile when she saw Peter.

"So how did that feel?"

[lockestheway]

"I did it," Peter said.

His game face finally fell away, and he looked a little shell-shocked.

[whenshewasnice]

"You did," Envy agreed. Her tone switched to one that seemed more private, somehow. "It's out there now."

[lockestheway]

"And god help us all," Peter said. He glanced over his shoulder. "I think I finally don't feel like that stupid kid working off a computer in his parents' house anymore."

[whenshewasnice]

"Good," she said. "You were never a 'stupid kid' to begin with."

[lockestheway]

"Depends on which press agency you ask," Peter said.

He let out a brief sigh, and then turned back to her. "Want to grab a bite?" he said. "I'd like to avoid throwing myself to the paparazzi."

[whenshewasnice]

"The ravenous horde can wait," Eny drawled, flicking her hair back from her face. "I would love to."

[lockestheway]

"Hegemonial aircraft kitchens it is, then," Peter said. He stuffed his hands into his pockets - then he thought better of it.

He pulled one out and offered it to her.

[whenshewasnice]

Envy took his hand with the kind of ease that suggested it was no big deal at all, even though it always kind of was. She smiled, though, and that was small and private.

"Do you think they have junk food to mark the occasion?"

[lockestheway]

"Only the artisanal kind, I'm afraid," Peter said wryly. "Local products."

[whenshewasnice]

"What a pity." She didn't sound that upset. "I guess I'll have to arrange that myself at a later time."

[lockestheway]

Peter laughed as they walked down the long hall to the airfield, their bodyguards trailing somewhere behind them. "I'll have to make sure our chefs start stocking burgers," he said, "Everybody look out, Envy Adams has a soft spot for the fat stuff."

[whenshewasnice]

Envy rolled her eyes. "Unnecessarily gross, Peter."

She didn't sound that upset by that, either.

"Not fat, just unhealthy."

[lockestheway]

"Ah, I see," Peter said, "You're a woman of most precise discernment. Sophisticated."

[whenshewasnice]

She rolled her eyes again, and also gave his hand a sharp little tug. "I could stage a coup, you know."

[lockestheway]

"Murder me in my sleep?" Peter posited. He grinned at her. "No, that wouldn't be your style. You'd just quietly reroute my entire power base until they all answered to you, and then you'd topple me very publicly."